Former Battery Creek star shows promise at fullback

Posted: Friday, August 05, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - So far, so good when it comes to Greg Jones' switch to fullback.

In the spring, the former Florida State and Battery Creek (S.C.) High School standout expressed some trepidation about switching from his natural position - tailback - but the Jaguars' coaching staff says Jones is making a smooth transition.

"It's going really good with Greg," new running backs coach Kennedy Pola said. "He has that aggressive nature to him and is not afraid of anything. Other than having to teach him about blocking angles, he's doing well. He's catching the ball and understanding what we're trying to do."

Jones, a former second-round pick who suffered a severe knee injury in college, explained his sluggishness as a rookie last season by saying he weighed 10 pounds more than he did at FSU.

Jones has since dropped that weight and is down to a listed size of 6-feet-1, 250 pounds, which Pola said is ideal for the prospect.

"The more he catches on (to the requirements of the position), the more I think he could be one of the best fullbacks in the league," Pola said. "He has the natural ability to do that."

What makes Jones an even better student is his willingness to learn an unfamiliar position without complaint.

"He's an outstanding athlete who's very smart," Pola said. "He also knows only one speed, and that's all out. That makes it so easy for me to direct him. You almost feel guilty about ever getting on to him."

The Jaguars, however, don't envision Jones as a typical blocking fullback. With his proven ball-carrying ability, they still see Jones more versatile, like Mike Alstott.

"Sounds good to me," Jones said of the comparison to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout. "He's been to a lot of Pro Bowls."

Still sidelined

Wide receiver Cortez Hankton admits he isn't helping himself by continuing to miss practices with an ankle injury. The third-year pro turned his ankle last Saturday during the first day of training camp and has been sidelined ever since. The timing of the injury couldn't be worse for Hankton, a former undrafted free agent who is competing with eight other receivers for what's expected to be no more than six roster spots.

Hankton is one of two receivers to miss most of camp so far with an injury. Chris Cole also is being held out with a turned ankle.

Not fretting

Deke Cooper was considered the Jaguars' eventual replacement for Donovin Darius while the safety feuded with the team over his contract the past two years.

But Cooper, whom scouts consider a promising young prospect, said he doesn't know what to think after Darius recently reversed course and signed a long-term extension with the team.

"I didn't think he was going anywhere after he bought a house here in Jacksonville at the end of last season," Cooper said. "That's why it wasn't a surprise. I was told I would be the safety of the future, but things change."

With Darius under contract, Cooper will remain the team's top backup behind Darius and free safety Deon Grant. The bright spot for Cooper is that he can become an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season.